An amateur dramatic theatre group has raised hundreds of pounds in memory of one of their own.

The Bleadon Players performed The Importance Of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde last month.

The inspiration to produce the play came from a long-time member of the players, Chris Bartrop-Clyst, who had performed it a number of times over the years.

But Chris never got to see it performed again after he died suddenly in July, a few weeks into rehearsals.

In memory of Chris, the show went on and the profits from the three nights of production were donated to The British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK, two charities which meant a great deal to him.

The two organisations spokesmen said they were ‘hugely appreciative’ of the £200 donation each charity received.

The players thanked everyone who helped make the show a success.